A MIRACLE FOR ALL!

“I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.” Psalm 91:14

“You must love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5

Miracles of God happen every day. They usually happen when we least expect them. Sometimes we are so busy concentrating on what our lives cannot produce that we fail to see what God is producing right in front of us. Miracles can be large and pronounced with grand fanfare or they can be simple and even be missed by those who are receiving them. This past weekend those of the world were witnesses to one of the most pronounced miracles of our time. No, it was not a parting of the Red Sea or manna falling from heaven. It was a simple movement that took place at just the right time and at just the right distance. Our former President did something that he nearly never does, he took his eyes away from the crowd and looked to his right. This movement saved his life. This was not just a coincidence; it was a miracle of God! It was our Lord in heaven participating in the lives of all of those who were watching. It was a miracle for all to see. It came unexpectedly. Unfortunately, the bullet did take the life of someone else who will live on in the memories of all of those who knew him and loved him. He will go down as a hero to all. This may not seem like a miracle to the family of the one taken but he was in God’s plan. He was a part of that miracle and that is how he should be remembered. The point is just because we are not praying for a miracle to happen in our lives, they may happen in our lives anyway and we should be ready to receive them. We should be ready to give thanks and praise where they are deserved. We live in a time where life on this earth is either driven by evil or by good. Those with faith must increase their faith, and those without belief must begin to believe. Jesus gave his life for you and me and he gave it so that we could live and be testimonies on his behalf. Sometimes being a testimony may cost us our life or come in the heavy cost of a lost relationship of someone we dearly love. We must be prepared for whatever the cost may be. Stay strong in your faith! Believe that you will receive! And never be so busy that you do not recognize the miracles going on around you. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Which activities make you lose track of time?
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TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!

” You are a shield around me, O Lord.” Psalm 3:3

” As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John: 6

Even though Jesus died for us we each have a free will and have the opportunity to follow what way we want to go. We are never forced to follow the ways of our Lord but are encouraged to live our lives in such a way that is significant in his ways and words. We have a choice as to follow the world or to follow Jesus. The command from the very beginning has been to walk in love. Just what does that mean? According to the bible, walking in love means to imitate God and acting like Christ Jesus. It is a way of life that involves loving others, maintaining a relationship with God, and growing into the image of Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us again to walk in love. We are to be imitators of Jesus and just as He walked with a sacrificial, unconditional and selfless love, so are we to walk in this same way. The walk he is referring to is a behavior and a way of life. We should love others as God loves us, with patience and kindness. We should accept others as they are and forgive them while they develop in the way of Jesus. Walking in love will lead us into a spiritual growth that helps to command our lives. To walk in love is to desire more and more of Christ and to give ourselves to him completely. Yes, we have a choice as to the way we live our lives and how we control our own ways. However, choosing Jesus is the way to love others, develop solid relationships with them and allow for the opportunity to receive eternal life with God in heaven. We can and should control our lives with the assistance of our Savior Jesus! We should allow the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions and the words we choose to use. He loves us and we should love Him! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What bothers you and why?
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IT IS TIME TO CALM THE WATERS WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

” We know we are children of God, and the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

Terrible things happen in this world every day. There is turmoil sprouting up all around us. The devil himself is scared. He knows the truth and he is running around trying to make things as difficult as possible for those living in the world today. There are killings, tortures, persecutions and constant lies and spreading of confusion. Love of those around us is nearly non-existent. If we don’t agree with one another then we become enemies. It is a wild and untamed world we live in. As Christians we have our Lord God in heaven who has given us a tool that is unable to be disconnected or destroyed. He has given us prayer. He has provided us a conduit to him by Jesus himself. By using the name of Jesus, we are able to not only survive in a world of confusion, but we are able to overcome and win the battles. Yesterday our former President of this great United States of America had an attempt upon his life. He was within a fraction of an inch of being eliminated from this world. During this event at least one innocent person lost their life, and others were either injured physically or mentally. We are in the greatest spiritual battle of our lives. This battle is not Biden vs Trump. It is not the Democrats vs the Republicans. It is the devil vs our God in heaven. It is good vs evil. You and I as followers of Christ Jesus are to pray, and we are to pray often. We must pray earnestly and without doubt of being answered. we must pray with detail and with sincere love for one another. We are living in days when our Lord Jesus is about to return. The bible tells us that things will get worse and not better. We have the tool of prayer. We have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is time that we take all of God’s gifts seriously and not just brush them off in times of turmoil. Pray is all that we can do. Our Lord is in control, and we must trust Him. This is His battle, and the war has already been won. His return is eminent and we as his children must be ready to receive him with lifted arms filled with praise and prayer. It does us no good to be down in the dumps or to be down in the mouth. We must keep our faith strong and look upward in prayer. The war has already been won and we will soon see our Lord coming in the clouds. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.
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OUR STURDY WALL!

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5

” Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38

” You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, not the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, not the plague that destroys at midday.” Psalm 91:5-6

We battle every day the things of the devil. We are attacked by disease and sickness, accidents with pain, sorrow, sadness and constant torment of what may happen in this world. We are tormented with persecution of our beliefs and with worry, doubt and fear. There is much talk in today’s world about our southern border and the wall that was built but discontinued. Our faith is much like that wall at our southern border here in the United States. As we are flooded with the things of evil every day our God has given us a great wall that will keep us safe. The problem is that we sometimes put on hold the wall he is building for us. We step aside, thinking that we can take care of our own problems. We forget to take our problems to God in prayer. We forget to rely on our faith in Jesus and the many promises our Lord has provided for us. When we step aside, we allow evil to enter our lives. This evil must be dealt with. But without thought or prayer we struggle through these battles by ourselves. The result is pain and suffering. The Lord never promised us that we would be free of pain and suffering, but he has given us the ability to get through these things with power and not weakness. Our faith is our wall. It must continue to be built and must never be put on hold. With faith we are able to overcome all things. With faith we are able to stand within the fires and come out without a burn. We are able to be thrown in with the hungry lions and not be harmed. It is our wall of faith that must continue to get stronger and stronger. As it continues to grow our resistance to the evil of this world becomes stronger and we become overcomers. Keep the wall of faith growing and the worries and fears are lessened and will eventually flee. Jesus is Lord! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Daily writing prompt
Are you seeking security or adventure?
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PERFECT LOVE TURNS AWAY FEAR!

” There is no fear in love/ But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

God is love! Love is a fundamental characteristic of who our God is. Everything that he does is impelled and influenced by his love. If we are not living in the love of Christ Jesus, then we are spiritually living in the fear of the punishment of being condemned on judgement day. When we accept Jesus, and truly believe in him and his total love for us, the fear of condemnation is driven out of our lives. We know the love of our Lord. We know his forgiveness and his gentle hand that he uses in correcting our every step. Our fear of the upcoming judgement vanishes when we understand without a doubt that Jesus is our Lord and our Savior. Through Jesus we have been reconciled to God. We must understand that God’s judgement fell on Jesus at the cross so that you and I could be spared. Jesus’s sacrifice satisfied God’s justice and won his good favor. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn but to save the world. Our God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of love and a sound mind. The only way to overcome any fear that comes our direction is by total and complete trust in God. There is no other way. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
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ANYTIME I KNOW NOT WHAT TO DO, I WILL CAST MY CONFUSION UPON YOU!

“Cast all of your care upon Jesus as He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

The spirit of confusion is a weapon of the enemy. The devil will unleash demonic activity through mental, emotional or physical confusion in order to be able to control and attack our minds. We have all been confused about one thing or another. We know that there are times that we can be overwhelmed with thoughts of confusion. We may not know what way to turn. We may not know what to say or who to believe. Confusion is a deadly tool used to influence each of us in ways that we have no control over. Confusion creates disorder in our lives, and we lose all sense of reality because we don’t know what to do or think. There is only one way that we are able to deal with this dishonest mechanism and that is by trusting in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The devil is the author of confusion, but our Lord is the author of peace of mind, love and understanding. Without surrounding ourselves with the ways of Jesus we don’t have a chance. Without the Lord we allow our ways to be surrounded with evil and destruction. We allow our minds to be littered with the ways of the world. Without Jesus we are unable to overcome the overwhelming ways of confusion and the devil himself. However, we can be and should be overcomers! We must read and meditate on God’s Holy Word- make time each day to read what God says about us and how we are to live and believe. We must trust God in prayer and commit our situation to Him. It is important that we find others who believe in the Lord and that we pray together and fellowship in truth and honesty. If we surround ourselves with doubt, worry and fear each day, then our lives will reflect to others the doubt, worry and fear we are wallowing in. But if we surround ourselves with God’s holy word, along with those who support and confess his ways and thoughts, then we will build our faith and live lives that are above what confusion and dishonesty will bring. The Lord has provided us with help. He has provided those who are around us who will support us with prayer and Godly advice. We must, however, seek them out and allow them to be involved in our lives. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

KEEP WATCH!

“Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back- whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: WATCH! Mark 13:35-37

This message in Mark 13 has been spread throughout the centuries. It is a message that warns all of us of a time that will happen without doubt. It is something that will happen at the direction of God in heaven. He is the only one who knows the time and the day. He is in total control and has a time chosen that is just right and will come when you and I least expect it. However, he has given us signs to see and to follow letting us know that the time is near. He gives us fair warning and tells us clearly to keep watch. We are to stay on guard and never let down. We are to live each day knowing that any moment He could return. We are living in a day and age where he has described, without fault, the events that will happen that will bring upon this earth the greatest revival of all time, His return. Every eye shall see, and every ear shall hear as I Lord is returned to His great glory and strength! I don’t know about you, but I do know that I want to be a healthy part of that revival. I want to be prepared and not left behind. There is not a person alive who knows when they will go to meet with the Lord, whether though death or through the rapture of his saints. So, we should be prepared at all times. Young and old, black and white, brown, yellow or red, it makes no difference. We will answer to our Lord. We must be prepared and not be foolish in ways that will hold us back. We must keep our eyes focused on above and not on things around us. We must stay alert and not allow for distractions in our lives. We have a great God in heaven! He loves us and will soon have us surrounding him in heaven above. Are you prepared? Are you alert? Are you ready for the greatest spiritual reawakening that has ever been experienced? If not, this is the time. The time is short, and our Lord is returning soon. PRAISE THE LOERD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What time do you go to bed and wake up currently?
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KEEP THE FIRE BURNING!

“And the fire on the alter shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out.” Leviticus 6:12

The fire burning for Jesus in our life needs to be continually stoked and stirred up. The fire must never be allowed to go out. As we continue to stir the fire, that keeps us alive in Christ, we must be able to stay focused on what our mission is. We are on this earth to be able to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are here to make the flames of his name rise higher and higher. Our mission is to make sure that he is not forgotten, because if he is, it spells disaster. We cannot survive in this world without him. Our God in heaven is the creator and the controller. He is the almighty and the only one who has charge of the ending. As we keep the fire hot, we must seek to move closer to him each day on a personal level. We must not just know about him, but we must know him! We must stay in constant prayer with him and not just when we need something. We should take time during the day to stop what we are doing and be grateful to him for what he has done and will do for us. We are to praise and glorify him in all situations. We are to engage in his word. This is more than just reading it. This is to take his word and make it our lives. It must be real to us, and we must begin to depend upon it rather than focusing on the world and depending upon others. We must exercise our faith and not just talk about it. We must be faithful as He is faithful. We are to try our best to live our life as Jesus lived his so that others will have the same opportunity to accept Jesus and be saved. We must stay on fire for Jesus! There is no other solution. If we decide to do things our way, live our life as the world lives its way then we are in for a rude awakening. We are in for very hard times and situations that we will never recover from. Jesus is the way, the life, and the truth! Let the fire burn higher and higher! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?
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FEAR, THE DANGEROUS ONE!

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

” I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.” Psalm 91:14

If allowed fear will dominate or lives. It will overcome and overtake how we live, the way we speak and hinder our thoughts and desires. Just what is fear and how do we overcome it? We must realize and understand that fear is the absence of love, and that faith is the highest form of love. When our lives are overcome with fear we are lacking in our faith. We are not giving ourselves to the Lord and allowing him to direct us and protect us. If our faith is not where it needs to be, we are living in dangerous territory. Fear can and will destroy us. There is no escape from it as long as you and I are trying to overcome it by ourselves. We need help and that help comes from our relationship with Jesus and the faith and love we have in him. Fear involves punishment and those of us who fear are not perfected in our love. We have not allowed God’s love to reach its full effect in our lives. The ultimate fear or punishment is separation from God. When we become separated from God fear begins to take over. Worry sets in and we walk around fearful of everything around us. When our faith becomes strong, and our love for Christ Jesus is perfected, then we will be rid of worry and fear. Let us look at it this way. The devil tries to duplicate Jesus in ways opposite of Jesus. Everything he does is the direct opposite. There is good and evil, love and hate, faith and fear. When we separate ourselves from our Lord God in heaven, we are allowing ourselves to listen and follow the ways of the one who created the opposite of Him. We must increase our faith on a daily basis. We must pursue trust in Jesus and live our lives in spiritual faith. We must never let down. The devil is lurking and waiting for us to step away and then will sneak in with his fear and worry. God loves us! He has given us all tools to overcome the devil and his tools of fear. We must, however, never disconnect! We must stay plugged into our source for strength, knowledge, faith and love! We must stay connected to Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What are you most excited about for the future?
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THE REFLECTION FROM OUR HEART!

” As a face is reflected in water; so, the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27:19

It is one thing to claim to be a Christian but it a totally different thing to live as a Christian. When we look into a mirror, we see a reflection of ourselves. We can see a smile, a frown, or any other expression we may want to put on our face. What we don’t see is what we feel on the inside. It is easy to try to fool those around us with expressions of love and peace. But what is going on with our heart? How are we really living our lives? People read us like they read a book. They look not only at how we look but they look at how we live. Our lives are reflecting what we believe and how we are reacting to what we believe. With Jesus as our Lord and Savior our lives will display a calmness and a peace that will spread to the lives of those we come in contact with. Those around us will not only see what we are showing them, but they will feel the love that Jesus radiates through us. With Jesus we are able to get through our struggles without doubt, worry or fear of the unknown. We are able to say what we believe and live that belief because we have the peace of the Lord residing within us. The Holy Spirit is ruling in our hearts and is controlling our tongues and what we say and how we react to the things around us. What we allow in our hearts reflects the real person. If we have not accepted Jesus or we are not living the life that Jesus wants for us, then our hearts will eventually reflect that image to others. It is important to stay strong in the Word of God. We must read and meditate every day. We must continue to pray and communicate with our Lord every day. We must believe and receive. When we do these things, we will begin reflecting things from within that are joyful and life changing from the Lord and our testimony to others will become true and satisfying. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?
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OUR GOD IS ABSOLUTE!

“For it is written,’ As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God’.” Romans 14:11

He is the only God, the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. He alone can overcome death; He has all power and dominion forever. No one can rule Him.” 1 Timothy 6: 15-16

As people throughout time have searched for the God of this earth, we as Christians have found the absolute God. The God’s of this world have no power. They will rot with time. They will fade away with thoughts of other Gods who may be greater than they. Our God, however, is absolute. He is complete, perfect, free from limitations, free from restrictions and exceptions. He has unlimited authority and is our absolute ruler. He is eternal and the creator of all. He has no selfishness, wickedness or sin. He is omnipresent and never leaves our side. He has lasted the test of time by prophetic witnesses and by living up to every promise he has given. He is love, he is strength, he is knowledge, he is moral, and he is our total life. He lives beside us, in us, and through us. He tells us that one day every eye shall see, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. That day is approaching. It is so important that the message of our absolute and loving God is spread throughout the world. With the advent of social media this has been made much more possible. The time is coming! The time is short! Our Lord is returning soon! We as Christians have access to him today through prayer, faith and living his holy word. He is our one and only God. He is absolute! There is no other! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite genre of music?
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BE ALERT & STAY WISE!

“But there will be false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you.” 2 Peter 2:1

“And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.” 2 Peter 2:2

The evil one never gives up. He has been given free rein in this world and he is running at a speed we have a hard time keeping ahead of. There is only one way to overcome the evil, the hypocrisy and the false teachings of the world around us, and that is to stay plugged into Christ Jesus and never unplug. We are living in such a time that the evil one is moving into our churches and other religious activities, disguising himself as one who is of God himself. He knows the word of God well, and because of this, he is able to make tweaks and minor changes along the way that will lead those who are unsure, or newly converted to the ways of Jesus, into confusion and down the wrong path. He will try to use the bible and God’s message against us. He is sleight of hand and able to make changes to our beliefs that go unnoticed until it is too late. You and I must stay strong in our faith, wise in our decisions and alert to God’s holy word. We must know God’s word frontwards and backwards. We must use the bible to check everything we hear and are told. If the words coming our direction are not lining up with the ways of Jesus and his commands, then we must run away from the evil being thrown our direction. We must understand that just because someone looks good, sounds good and stands upright does not mean that they are truthful and honest. The devil is not that evil looking cartoon character we so often see in cartoons. He is a professional schemer, liar, and smooth talker. We must be prepared. We have the tools at hand to stay wise of all of his tricks. God’s word is full of promises and commands that allow us to repel all evil the devil can throw our way. Let us all stay plugged into Jesus and stay strong in these last days. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most memorable vacation.
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WHAT IS PERFECT LOVE?

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

There are different kinds of love in this world. The word “love” is thrown around in many different contexts, and in many cases, becomes a normal part of our daily language. To be “perfect” you must be complete and mature. That is the meaning of perfect in 1 John 4:18. Our God is referring to a kind of love that is selfless and not overbearing. It is referred to as “agape” love which is a selfless, unconditional, and a universal love that is given freely and with no charge. When we begin to grow in our Lord, we begin to take on his characteristics. We begin to nurture his ways and not the ways going on around us. When we look at others and what they are going through we see them through different lenses and begin to have a sincere caring experience. Perfect love is said to be kind, patient, and does not retaliate. Perfect love does not cause retaliation but finds ways to extend kindness instead of vengeance. Perfect love is not thinking too highly of ourselves. It is servicing others and not tearing them down. Perfect love displays cheerfulness, kindness and patience in times of trouble. Perfect love comes from our holy God above and it becomes perfect when you and I reflect it back onto Him. We do this by showing his ways to those around us by applying sincere care and understanding and by displaying the love he has for us to others. To display this love in our lives we must have a sound and unwavering relationship with Christ. We must talk with him on a regular basis and be able to understand his ways and thoughts. When we do these things our love for others will become sincere and perfect by reflecting God’s ways into our own lives, letting his ways, and the love that comes with them to spill out onto others. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
On what subject(s) are you an authority?
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TO LIVE WITHIN GOD’S BOUNDRIES!

” By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” 2 Peter 1:3

” And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1: 4

” In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self- control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

To live within the boundaries of our God in heaven we must live our life on this earth with a different kind of attitude. We must be able to turn away from the evil that this world puts in our daily paths. Our Lord God has prepared us well. He has given us every tool in his bag to help us overcome the things of our daily lives. He has provided many promises throughout his word that you and I must learn and be able to stand upon. We must know his promises and be able to use them when we need them. We must become closer to Jesus than we are to the world. Our faith must be strong and not weak. It must have deep roots so as to stand the strong winds of the world. Our faith will become stronger when we add morals to our lives, knowing and expressing good from evil. Our faith becomes strong when we add the knowledge of what God has given us. We must stay within ourselves and be self-controlled in the worst of times. We must be patient and not overanxious when we depend upon our Lord. All of these supplements will help us to build and make our faith in Jesus even stronger than before. It takes a focus and a relationship with Jesus that is detailed with knowledge and with understanding that there is nothing we should fear with Jesus in our lives. We must put Jesus first! We must read his word, meditate on it, pray his promises, that are within it, and praise, glorify and give credit to him for his very existence. He loves us and we should love him with our very existence. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your definition of romantic?
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BE WISE AND BE STRONG!

” Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

In our world of today it is easy to become complacent in the way we live our lives. It is easy for us to become a part of the problem instead a part of the solution. We are to have great faith in our Lord Jesus and live our lives in a strong and faith loving way. However, we must have another belief. We must not be deceived by the devil and his cohorts. The devil himself would like nothing more than for us to believe that he is just a fairy tale character. The devil is real, and he is very active in today’s world. He and his demons are lurking at every corner looking for ways to deceive us. He will dress himself up to look good. He has learned the bible and knows the scriptures. He is an expert in turning the scriptures around and using them against us. If you and I are not deeply submersed in the world of God, we are subject to be deceived. We must be able to beat the devil at his own game. We must know what the bible says and be able to stand upon its promises and ways. We must be able to know whether someone is trying to confuse us or is confused themselves. We must train ourselves to go the bible consistently and check out the sayings and thoughts of others. We should have our tool, the bible, close at hand and know it without doubt. The devil is lurking and is desperate to trick us into his ways, his thoughts, his doubts and his fears. Our only tools to fight him are the best tools ever. It is prayer, praise and God’s Holy Word. Our faith must be strong and continue to grow in strength. Each day the devil grows stronger in his deception so each day we must grow stronger in our faith and in our efforts to use it against the devil. Be alert and continue to be strong for the devil is prowling around like a lion ready to devour those in his path. PRAISE THE LRD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
How do you express your gratitude?
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BELIEVE TO RECEIVE!

“Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:23

” Trust your lives to God who created you, for he will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4:19

To believe in something is to totally invest yourself in what you believe. You live the belief, you talk the belief, and you never waver in your belief. In the bible, to believe, means more than just agreeing that something might be true. It means to trust God so strongly that you are willing to commit your life to him. Belief in our Lord is much more than religion. It is a relationship that is established between you and God, and a life that is represented to others, as strong and very significant. It is very easy to say we trust in God and his miracles, but in reality, that is not what we are thinking. That is not the way we are talking to others, and it is not the way we are living our lives. These are the times that we must focus on his word, surround ourselves with his word and never let go.

It is difficult when you do believe, but God answers our prayers in ways that are completely different than the way we prayed them. When by son was ill, I prayed to God for months and years that he would be able to fight and overcome his sickness. I prayed hard and I talked the talk. I lived with a sense that he was going to be healed by a miracle of God and everything was going to be ok. However, that was not God’s plan. He did succumb to his sickness and go to be with the Lord. I questioned God. I wondered why the Lord would allow such a thing to happen when I believed so hard. I felt like God had let me down and not given me what I deserve. My first mistake was believing that I deserved anything. I didn’t! God had a plan that was being carried out and my son was a part of that plan. Somewhere there was someone who was affected in a positive way by his death. The Lord used him to influence others in ways that I didn’t understand. However, I did trust God. Michael knew when it was time to go be with the Lord. He knew that God was calling. The Lord later showed me that we cannot influence or direct the actions of others. Only he is able to do that. We are, however, to pray, and to pray with belief, that His will be done. It is God’s plan that is important. You and I must overcome our human feelings and limited understanding and believe in the ways of our Lord. We must develop and nurture a relationship with our Lord that is strong and unwavering, no matter the outcome. We must always remember that our Lord will never fail us! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What are you most worried about for the future?
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OUR REFUGE!

“If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91: 9-11

Far in the distance a great storm began to unfold. The sky became black with clouds and the wind began to grow stronger. Rain began to fall, and hail, the size of golf balls, began streaming down from above. It was time to run for safety. It was time take refuge so that no harm would come to those in the path of the great storm.

To take refuge is to seek safety from danger or trouble. Storms arise every day on the horizons of our lives. Sometimes we are fully aware of what is about to happen and other times we are taken by complete surprise. No matter how they approach, we need to seek refuge from these storms. We need to run for the nearest shelter for safety. Our God is that refuge. He is there for us and is never far away. Our Lord is like the strongest storm shelter we can find. There are no cracks in his shield and there is no way anything can reach us under his divine protection. He says that he will send his angels to protect us wherever we might be. Our Lord is there for us through thick and thin. He is the most dependable refuge you and I can seek out. The problem is that we don’t always go to him for help. We don’t seek him out in our time of need. Instead, we seek other avenues for help, and often times, those avenues fail us. Our faith is the key to our seeking the strongest and most reliable refuge and safety net we have. A strong faith that is fed everyday by prayer and the word of God will supply us the safe place and assurances we so desperately need. If we are sad, he is there to console us. If we are angry, he is there to calm us down. If we are in fear, he is there to take the fear away. He is there by our side in all circumstances and will never leave our us. We must, however, use him. We must believe in him, and we must pray and praise him on a daily basis. We must never forget who our refuge is. Jesus is Lord! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What makes a teacher great?
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ALWAYS BE PREPARED!

“And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” 1 Peter 3: 15-16

It is quite important that we submerse ourselves in the word of God. It is vital that we allow our roots to grow deeper and deeper each day. When we do, we give ourselves the chance to become one with Christ Jesus and begin to live our lives in such a way that those around us will begin to take notice. They will see us stand strong in times of sadness. They will see us smile as we go through troubles that try to block our beliefs and love for Jesus. They will watch as we stand strong when we are persecuted by others or made fun of because we believe in the living and loving God in heaven. They will take notice and we must be prepared to answer their questions when they come to us and ask. We must trust and believe that our Lord has all things within His control. There can be no doubts or fears that will allow us to waver from the truth that Jesus presents in our lives. We must trust Him to take our problems and handle them in His way and not ours. We must allow Him to work in our lives and allow Him to work on his time schedule. We must be prepared to not only live our lives with Christian dignity but also be wise in what we say and when we say it. We must prepare ourselves daily with continued prayer and praise for our Lord. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and we must do our part by listening and doing as He instructs. You see, the Lord our God in heaven never fails us. He hears our prayers and answers them. He gives us opportunities to work in others’ lives and be a part of their salvation and trust in our Lord Jesus. We must be prepared. We must stay in his word and never waver in our beliefs no matter the cost. We must remember that we are making a choice between heaven and hell. Our lives and the way we live them will influence others, even if we think they are not. We must stay the course and never give up. Our God is with us, and we must always be prepared to lift those around us up with the love of Jesus living in us! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever had surgery? What for?
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HOW GREAT THOU ART!

“Don’t be afraid, he said, Take courage! I am here.” Mark 6:50

“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

As you and I continue to learn our roles in God’s great plan, we must exercise the things we have already learned. To be quite honest what we are doing is a great example of “on the job training.” We learn by doing. We learn by reading about Jesus. We learn by listening to the Holy Spirit. Our God in heaven has given us all of the tools we need to learn and be successful. We must, however, be willing to use these tools. He has provided promises in, and all around the bible. We, however, sometimes do not take his promises seriously. What He says is what He does. He never fails and we will not fail either. Jesus has been given to us for salvation, healing and forgiveness. He also has been given to us as an example as to how we are to live in this world. We are to be patient, strong, confident, loving, and on fire for the Lord Jesus! We are to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and not fear what the world around us thinks. Jesus moved against the tide, and we also are moving against the tide of life. We don’t think like the world, we don’t talk like the world, we don’t act like the world. Instead, we are to allow His mighty word to become a part of us. When we become anxious, we go to the Lord in prayer. When fear approaches us, we go to the Lord in prayer. When we begin to doubt, we go the Lord in prayer. As we depend upon the Lord for all of our decisions we must listen and believe. We must believe and receive! We must be able to do these things even in the midst of those who are spouting doubt, worry and fear at us. We must stay focused on the greatest of all, our Lord God in heaven! He is the creator of the world, and it is his to take away when the time comes. He is the greatest! How Great Thou Art! We love you, Lord! PRASIE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What are your daily habits?
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YOU LIVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS!

“Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.” 1 Peter 2:11-12

It is very easy to live in this world. It is easy to become an active part of our surroundings. All we have to do is surround ourselves with the ways and the thoughts of the world around us and we become one. However, that is not what our God in heaven wants of us. He has picked us up from among those in this environment and put us in a special place. He covers us with his protection, his love, and his grace and mercy. All He asks is that we believe and receive. We are to accept Him by faith and not waiver in our beliefs. Our faith and beliefs must be so strong that there is nothing in this world that can harm us or take our faith away from us. It is easy to look around us and see that the people who are a part of this worldly society live what their surroundings give them. Many times, they become who they are by watching others and imitating their actions and living their lifestyles. You and I are to be different. We have been lifted above the ways of the world. We are surrounded by our Lord’s grace and mercy. We are to watch Him and follow His ways. We are to mimic how Jesus reacted to the world. This is hard because when we begin to show our beliefs and live our lives in Christ, others may look at us funny. They may taunt us or persecute our ways and beliefs. We look differently, believe differently and live differently. We are of Christ Jesus and not of the world. We must constantly surround ourselves with His Word, pray to Him and praise Him for who he is. We must believe in the Holy Spirit and that He lives inside us. We must listen carefully to Him and follow His lead and directions in our lives. When we do, we will find that we are surrounded by the ways of God in heaven and not the ways of the world around us. It will soon become natural to live our lives for Christ Jesus and not for the world. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
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WATCH CAREFULLY!

“Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16

The devil is extremely deceptive.  He knows exactly what he wants and does not set out to fail. He will deceive us with lies and deception. What appears to be right may not be. We must stay in prayer and never leave an opening for the devil to slip in. We must know what God says to us through his word. We can not allow the devil to lie to us. We must be prepared. With prayer and praise, we will stay wise and prepared. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

IF YOU WORRY YOU DIDN’T PRAY…IF YOU PRAY DON’T WORRY!

“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” James 4:8

Our faith is the substance of our relationship with Jesus. As we live each day, our thoughts and actions must be concentrated in the right direction. It order to go the direction the Lord wants us to go, we must continue to read the road map and stay on the right road. If we begin to focus on our surroundings, then it is probable we will wander into thoughts and actions that put us on a detour to our destination.  Worry is a sin. It is an evil that will destroy us. Prayer is an opportunity to strengthen our faith and make our lives and the lives of those around us so much easier. We all have ongoing daily problems, some large and some small. It makes no difference the size.  If we turn them over to the Lord in prayer and believe we receive, they will be taken care of. This takes much effort and strength on our part. If we try to out think and outdo our Lord, we will fail. With Him in the drivers seat, making all of the decisions, we can not fail. You and I like to be in charge and understand all of the whys and why nots of the Lord. This is impossible! What is possible is the faith he will help us to develop and sustain!   PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

I SHALL NOT WANT!

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Just as sheep, you and I need to be guided. We can rest assured that even though we may get off track and try to do things our way we are continously protected and directed. However, it is up to you and me to listen and trust the Lord’s direction. We must be able to put our desires in the back seat and let Jesus drive the bus. He already knows where we need to go. Trust him! Never give up! Believe you receive! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

COMFORT IN JESUS!

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer” Psalm 94:19

Our lives can be much easier with comfort in Jesus. Trust and faith in Him allows us to live with strong  faith and able to stand against what comes against us. Stand strong in faith and bever allow doubt to enter. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

LIVE IN CHRIST!

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” Col. 3:15

1. Discipline yourself to diligently listen to God!

2. Don’t listen to the worldly system!

3. Keep your eyes on God’s word and listen to it!

4. Love God and all of God’s people!

5. Walk in love! (Remember, God is love!

6. Stay away from coveteousness!

REMEMBER, THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNIPRESENT BUT GOD IS!

PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

THE WEALTHY PLACE!

“Cast all your cares upon Jesus ” 1 Peter 5:7

Hoping in the Lord, refusing to become discouraged, listening for direction from the Lord, and being humble are all a part of the wealthy place. Our part is to believe, and God will live true to His promises. Why not live in a wealthy place that God provides us? He loves us, and we should love him without conditions. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS